Drag artist arrested anew over ‘Jesus’ act

MANILA, Philippines — Drag performer Pura Luka Vega was arrested anew on Thursday for performing as Jesus to the Catholic hymn “Our Father” in a bar last year.

Vega (real name Amadeus Pagente), 34, was leaving the Department of Health central office, where he works as a senior health program officer, when a policeman in a black shirt and shorts accosted him, according to a report from the warrant and subpoena unit of the Manila Police District (MPD)’s Sta. Cruz station.

Vega is being held at the station’s custodial facility on three counts of immoral doctrines, obscene publication and exhibition and indecent show that violated Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code, which was amended by Presidential Decrees 960 and 969, as well as violation of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 306 Judge Dolly Rose Bolante-Prado issued the arrest warrant on Feb. 26 and set P360,000 bail, the MPD noted.

Vega was released yesterday after posting bail.

The charges against Vega before the Quezon City court were based on complaints by members of the Philippines for Jesus Movement, according to a post on X by Rod Singh, director of reality show Drag Den Philippines that Vega joined.

On Feb. 26, Vega paid P720,000 bail on similar charges filed by the Kapisanan ng mga Social Media Brodkaster ng Pilipinas before the Pasay City prosecutor.

In October last year, Vega also posted bail before the Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 36, which set P72,000 bail for similar cases based on the complaints of Hijos del Nazareno Central.